To: Readers of the Evidence-Based Policy Newsletter
I’m pleased to share issue #5 of my newsletter on recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) findings — see “RCT Summaries” below. As brief background:
- This is a newsletter for policymakers, researchers, and others who want to keep abreast of rigorous evidence on “what works” in social policy. I recently launched the newsletter as a pilot, to gauge interest. Feedback welcome (by replying to this email). You may unsubscribe below.
- In connection with my prior work and a forthcoming initiative, I review almost all RCTs of U.S. social programs, and many international RCTs. The newsletter shares my quick take on the latest findings — without spin, just the facts. I focus mainly on RCTs because, when feasible and well-conducted, they’re considered the strongest method of evaluating program effectiveness.
- The main vehicle for sharing these findings is Twitter (please follow me here). For those of you not on Twitter, I also share them via periodic emails — e.g., every few weeks (see prior issues). Please forward this newsletter to others who may be interested (they can subscribe here).
Best,
Jon
Twitter page/bio
RCT Summaries:
- My tweets in coming days [items 2–5 below] will summarize some of the most promising RCT findings — in job training, education, and housing — over the past 18 months. I’ve already shared one: The blockbuster findings for @YearUp job training for low-income young adults.
- In March, @MDRC_News reported results of an RCT of @PerScholas — an employment/training program low-income adults, preparing them for well-paying jobs in Information Technology. Quick take: High-quality RCT finds sizable earnings gain (16%, or $5200/year) at the 5–7 year follow-up. (See full summary.)
- Another especially promising RCT finding of the past 18 months: Castleman & Barr’s study of @BottomLineOrg (1-on-1 advising to help low-income students get into & graduate from college). Quick take: High-quality RCT finds large (8% point) increase in 4-year college degree completion. (See full summary.)
- Another especially promising RCT finding of the past 18 months: @EconMobility’s study of @ProjectQUESTInc occupational training of low-income adults for well-paying healthcare jobs. Quick take: High-quality RCT finds sizable long-term earnings gains (15–20%, or about $5,000/year). (See full summary.)
- Another especially promising RCT of the past 18 months: @urbaninstitute’s study of the Denver Supportive Housing SIB initiative, providing housing & supportive services to homeless people with >7 prior arrests. Quick take: High-quality RCT finds roughly 30–40% reductions in jail & shelter use, ED visits, & arrests over 2–3 yrs. (See full summary.)
- @OPRE_ACF published an excellent summary of results of 10 RCTs of job training programs for low-income adults, funded under HHS’s “PACE” & “HPOG 1.0” initiatives. Quick take: High-quality RCTs find no earnings impacts for 9 programs & large impacts for 1 program. (See full summary.)
Other Items:
- I’m pleased to share my recent op-ed in The Hill — “The Good and Bad News About Declining U.S. Poverty Rates.” It makes that case that, while we’re alleviating economic hardship, we’re not breaking the poverty cycle. (Link to op-ed).
- @nytimes @PamBelluck reported on a study finding that COVID patients who took the anti-viral drug Paxlovid were 26% less likely to have “long COVID” 90 days later. Quick take: Not a credible study, & it’s disappointing the article nowhere mentions the study’s weaknesses. (See full summary.)
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